How About a Nice Game of Chess?

Worried that growing older will affect your mental awareness?
Worry no more! Keeping your wits in tact throughout middle
age and into your senior years may require nothing more than
playing cards, reading a book or doing a crossword puzzle,
according to a study that appeared in the Journal of Epidemiology
and Community Health.

In
the study, 5,000 people ages of 35-55 were tested for their
mathematical, vocabulary and short-term memory capabilities
to assess levels of mental acuity. Participants with higher
mental functioning were also more involved in leisure activities;
moreover, participants who engaged in leisure activities were
more likely to meet others who spent more time engaging in
intellectual pursuits.

From the study, researchers concluded that people can help
keep their minds sharp by taking up a hobby or participating
in extracurricular social activities, including taking classes,
volunteering or visiting cultural centers, such as art museums.

Why not start improving your mental ability by taking up
a new activity? You'll not only stay on the ball, you'll probably
make some new friends, too.